MOTORCYCLE SAFETY and MITIGATING INJURIES

When heading out on your motorcycle for a few hours of unencumbered freedom, the last thing running through your mind is that you may become another number for the statisticians. Reducing the probability of having a crash is largely in your own hands and the thought you give to your ride. Is your bike in good mechanical condition? Is your riding ability sufficient for your bike - particularly if you have a newer, more powerful bike? Have you equipped yourself with adequate clothing and safety gear?

These are just a few of the things to be mindful of when you prepare and start any ride. Preparation is the first step in a safe, enjoyable ride. The following list offers suggestions for some of the things you should consider:

* Visibility - Black is the most popular color among bike riders. Consider adding a few pieces of reflective tape in appropriate places, particularly at night.

* Riding Position - Maintain sufficient space around your bike to allow for reaction time for potential problems.

* Search, Evaluate, Execute (see) - Search the area in front, on the side, and behind for potential problems. Evaluate any potential hazard and form a plan for dealing with the hazard. Execute your plan after first warning others of your intentions.

* Clothing - Suitable clothing protects against wind, road debris, and flying insects.

* Safety Gear - helmets, eye protection, jackets, pants or chaps, gloves, boots, and rainwear all contribute to a safer and more enjoyable ride.

* Know Your Limits - Make an honest evaluation of your abilities in relation to your bike, weather conditions, and the planned route of your ride.

* Alcohol - Riding and alcohol just don't mix. If you ride, don't drink. If you drink, don't ride.

* Medications - Be aware of the effects of over-thecounter and prescription drugs on your riding abilities.

The Air Force requires the use of a helmet by all motorcycle riders - both military and civilian - when riding on base. Even though some local or state laws may not require it, safe operation of a motorcycle includes wearing a helmet at all times.

The required use of helmets when riding has been a contentious issue since helmet laws were first enacted in 1967. The debate over mandatory helmet use revolves around the feeling by riders that their freedom of choice is being infringed upon versus the need of safety agencies in weighing the societal costs of injuries and deaths that could otherwise be avoided.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has accumulated some rather interesting statistics for calendar years 2003 and 2004 relating to helmet use by motorcycle riders and passengers. Consider these facts:

* There were 4008 fatalities from motorcycle accidents in 2004, up from 3714 in 2003

* There were 76,000 injuries from motorcycle accidents in 2004, up from 67,000 in 2003

* Motorcyclists were 32 times more likely to die in a crash than a person in an automobile

* Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes

* Helmet use reduced the likelihood of a fatal injury by 37 percent

* Operator impairment is a contributing factor in more than half of all fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crashes

In the year after repeal of the universal helmet use law in the following states there was a remarkable increase in fatalities:

* Louisiana 100%

(Louisiana has since re-enacted a universal use law)

* Kentucky 50%

* Texas 31%

* Arkansas 21%

The Air Force requires all personnel who ride motorcycles to participate in a motorcycle safety course. Retired Air Force Chief of Staff Gen John Jumper established a mentor program where experienced riders are paired with inexperienced riders before heading out on the highway. Since preparation is the key to a safe ride, training is the key to safe preparation. All persons who ride a motorcycle should take an active role in motorcycle safety by participating in training sessions on a regular basis. More experienced riders can help assure a safe ride for new riders by serving as role models and mentors.

The Motorcycle Safety Federation (www.msf-usa.org) offers motorcycle training at sites throughout the U.S. Several motorcycle manufacturers also offer motorcycle training courses. There are courses tailored for new riders, advanced riders, and for group riding.

Keeping these thoughts in mind and planning your ride will help make every ride a pleasant experience.

By Jim Van Wambeck, Staff Writer

Copyright Superintendent of Documents, Military Airlift Command Jan/Feb 2006
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Motorcycle helmet use laws and rate of head injuries

Motorcycle crashes resulted in more than 40,000 deaths and many more injuries in the United States during the 1980s. Muelleman and associates studied the effect of the reenactment of Nebraska's helmet use law on motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities. The study included 617 patients from two urban counties in Nebraska whose injuries had been reported to the state Department of Roads between 1988 and 1989. (Nebraska's helmet use law was reenacted in January 1989.)

The helmet use law was temporally associated with a 26 percent decrease in the reported rate of motorcycle crashes, compared with rates in five nearby states. Sharp declines in the number and rate of reported injuries, hospital admissions, severe non-head injuries and deaths were observed. Serious head injuries decreased by 22 percent. The percentage of injured motorcyclists with serious head injuries was significantly lower among motorcyclists who wore helmets (5 percent) than among those who did not (14 percent).

In a related study, Braddock and colleagues developed a population-based injury and acute care cost profile for fatal and nonfatal motorcycle collisions in Connecticut (which has a partial helmet use law). Data were obtained from a retrospective review of state death certificates, hospital discharge data and police accident reports from 1985 to 1987.

State death certificates indicated that 112 deaths were due to motorcycle injuries. Based on this figure, the annual mortality rate from motorcycle injuries was calculated as 1.2 per 100,000 persons. The mortality rate was highest among men 20 to 24 years of age. Motorcyclists who did not wear helmets were three times more likely to be killed in an accident than riders who wore helmets.

As estimated 2,361 persons were hospitalized because of motorcycle-related injuries. Thus, the annual hospitalization rate was 24.7 per 100,000 persons. Head, neck and spinal cord injuries accounted for 22 percent of injuries. The cost of caring for patients with motorcycle-related injuries exceeded $29 million. Twenty-nine percent of hospitalized patients were uninsured. Hospitals were not reimbursed for 42 percent of the costs of caring for these patients.

The authors suggest that the enactment of a uniform helmet law would save an estimated 10 lives and prevent more than 90 nonfatal injuries in Connecticut each year, resulting in a cost savings to the state of $5.1 million annually. (Annals of Emergency Medicine, March 1992, vol. 21, pp. 266, 273.

COPYRIGHT 1992 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

Factors affecting motorcycle helmet use in the population of Greater Athens

Objectives—Helmet use is the best preventive measure available against two wheel motorized vehicle (TWMV) related head injuries. In some countries, however, helmets are used only by a minority of TWMV riders. In collaboration with the Road Traffic Police Department, an inspection survey was undertaken to assess the prevalence and to determine predictors of helmet use.

Setting—The Greater Athens area, Greece, during July and August 1998.

Methods—A total of 982 TWMVs were stopped, 349 of which had two riders (36%). All riders were interviewed by staff members of the Centre for Research and Prevention of Injuries among the Young.

Results—The average prevalence of helmet use was 20.2%. It ranged from 9.7% on small suburban roads to 50.8% on highways. Prevalence of use was significantly lower during the weekend days and at night. Women were significantly more likely to wear a helmet and, controlling for gender, drivers were significantly more likely to be helmet users. Riders of more powerful TWMVs and passengers, who themselves had a TWMV driving license, were helmet users more frequently. Among non-users, the majority (46%) indicated that "the helmet made them feel uncomfortable", particularly in warm weather, whereas 18% claimed that there was little need for a helmet in low speed riding.

Conclusions—A multipronged campaign is urgently needed in Greece to increase the prevalence of helmet use by TWMV riders. The campaign should include not only police enforcement but also initiatives to make helmets more convenient to wear and less expensive.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Motorcycle Helmet Laws Current as of September, 2005

State	Helmet Required	For Ages	Additional Information
Alabama	Yes	ALL
Alaska	Yes	17 and under	Alaska law covers passengers of all ages, drivers younger than 18, and drivers with instructional permits.
Arizona	Yes	17 and under
Arkansas	Yes	20 and under
California	Yes	ALL
Colorado	NO
Connecticut	Yes	17 and under
Delaware	Yes	18 and under
District of Columbia	Yes	ALL
Florida	Yes	20 and under	Florida law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 years and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy.
Georgia	Yes	ALL
Hawaii	Yes	17 and under
Idaho	Yes	17 and under
Illinois	NO
Indiana	Yes	17 and under
Iowa	NO
Kansas	Yes	17 and under
Kentucky	Yes	20 and under	Kentucky law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky also cover drivers with instructional/learner permits.
Louisiana	Yes	ALL
Maine	Yes	14 and under	If a motorcycle's operator is required to wear a helmet, any passenger on that motorcycle must also wear a helmet.
Maryland	Yes	ALL
Massachusetts	Yes	ALL
Michigan	Yes	ALL
Minnesota	Yes	17 and under	Minnesota law applies to to drivers with instructional/learner permits.
Mississippi	Yes	ALL
Missouri	Yes	ALL
Montana	Yes	17 and under
Nebraska	Yes	ALL
Nevada	Yes	ALL
New Hampshire	Yes	17 and under	Anyone under the age of 18, whether a passenger or a driver.
New Jersey	Yes	ALL
New Mexico	Yes	17 and under
New York	Yes	ALL
North Carolina	Yes	ALL
North Dakota	Yes	17 and under	North Dakota law applies to all passengers traveling with drivers who are covered by the law.
Ohio	Yes	17 and under	Ohio law applies to all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers of drivers who are covered by the law.
Oklahoma	Yes	17 and under
Oregon	Yes	ALL
Pennsylvania	Yes	20 and under	Pennsylvania law applies to all drivers regardless of age during the first two years of licensure unless the driver completes a Motorcycle Safety Foundation approved safety course.
Rhode Island	Yes	20 and under	Rhode Island law covers all drivers during the first year of licensure and all passengers.
South Carolina	Yes	20 and under
South Dakota	Yes	17 and under
Tennessee	Yes	ALL
Texas	Yes	20 and under	Texas exempts riders 21 years or older if they can show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or can show proof of having a medical insurance policy.
Utah	Yes	17 and under
Vermont	Yes	ALL
Virginia	Yes	ALL
Washington	Yes	ALL
West Virginia	Yes	ALL
Wisconsin	Yes	17 and under	Wisconsin law applies to drivers with instructional/learner permits.
Wyoming	Yes	18 and under